☸ Tibetan Buddhist Glossary

A Yidam is a meditational deity or a personal deity in Tibetan Buddhism, chosen by a practitioner based on their spiritual affinity. This deity is considered a manifestation of the practitioner's own enlightened nature and is used as a focus for meditation and spiritual growth. By visualizing and identifying with the Yidam, practitioners aim to develop a deeper understanding of their own true nature and to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and other positive qualities. The Yidam is often depicted in art and is invoked in rituals and prayers.

Yoga tantra is a class of tantric teachings in Tibetan Buddhism that emphasizes the practice of yoga, or the union of the individual self with the ultimate reality. It involves the use of visualization, mantra, and other techniques to cultivate a direct experience of the enlightened state. Yoga tantra is considered a high level of practice that requires a strong foundation in the basics of Buddhism and a deep understanding of the nature of reality.